The people of
Burkina Faso have raised the bar by setting a standard for democracy and
governance in Africa:
(1) No impunity for any individual who committed a crime against the state through the seizure of power by force, rebellion, fraudulent elections, tailored constitutional changes to remain on power to avoid national and/or international prosecution, or any other means including political and financial alliances with domestic and foreign criminals to initiate or perpetuate tyranny;
(2) Individuals and political parties that promoted tyranny must be barred for life from participating in politics and holding positions in Government;
(3) Politically exposed persons and organizations, who were, have been, or are directly or indirectly affiliated with tyrannical regimes, should also be barred from politics for life;
(4) All foreign governments whose anti-money laundering laws have been violated by African dictators, tyrants, and their associates have the moral obligation to take the lead in prosecuting these corrupt individuals, even if they are still on power. Public shaming pays off and now is the right time to show support to the African people by taking and publicizing targeted actions.
P.S. I first published this opinion at the Voice of America's website
on October 2, 2015
Other reflections on the same topic can be found at:
http://www.voanews.com/content/democracy-activists-push-against-african-autocrats/2999997.html
http://www.voanews.com/content/democracy-activists-push-against-african-autocrats/2999997.html
